Poppy Seed Caramelized Shards Recipes

HOW TO MAKE POPPYSEED FILLING (2 WAYS)

Steps:

• Rinse poppy seeds thoroughly in a fine mesh colander, then drain them and transfer to a medium sauce pan.
• Add 3 cups water to the pot. Over medium heat, bring to a simmer. (Don't boil). Turn off. Cover with lid and let it sit for 30 minutes. Return to a simmer (don't boil). Turn off. Cover and let it sit for another 30 minutes.
• Drain poppy seeds well through a colander or by keeping lid on and placing several layers of cheese cloth on lid to catch stray poppy seeds. Life is just easier when you use a fine mesh sieve.
• Push the poppy seeds through a food grinder, using the fine grinding plate. I use my KitchenAid food grinder attachment for my stand mixer. You can also use a coffee grinder and do it in smaller batches. Note: If using a meat grinder, you need to push firmly. The seeds won't grind well unless they are under pressure. P.S. I've tried putting them through a food processor and it did not work. Drain off excess liquid if any has accumulated in the bowl.
• Mix 8-10 ounces of sweetened condensed milk into ground poppy seeds. I like to add 10 oz. Add raisins if desired (depending on the recipe you're making). Store in tupperware and refrigerate until ready to use.

OLD WORLD POPPY SEED ROLL

Steps:

• Place poppy seeds into a food processor and process until seeds are ground, about 1 minute.
• Mix poppy seeds with 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon melted butter, lemon juice, and hot milk in a bowl; stir to combine. Cover poppy seed filling and refrigerate while making bread (filling will set up and thicken as it chills).
• Mix yeast with water and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Allow to stand until the yeast forms a creamy layer.
• Whisk flour with salt in a bowl; use a pastry cutter to cut 1/4 cup butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Pour yeast mixture and egg yolk into flour mixture and stir to make a soft dough.
• Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and knead until smooth and slightly springy, about 5 minutes. If dough is too sticky, knead in more flour, about 2 tablespoons at a time.
• Cut dough into 2 equal pieces. Roll each piece out into a 12x16-inch rectangle.
• Spread half the poppy seed filling over each rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border. Fold the 1-inch border back over the filling on all sides and press down.
• Pick up the shorter side of a dough rectangle and roll it like a jelly roll; repeat with second rectangle. Pinch ends together or tuck ends under to prevent filling from leaking out.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; place rolls seam sides down on the baking sheet and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Beat egg white in a bowl until frothy; brush the rolls with beaten egg white.
• Bake in preheated oven until dark golden brown on top, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cover rolls with a clean kitchen towel until cool to keep crust soft. Cool completely before slicing.

POPPY SEED CARAMELIZED SHARDS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Combine the sugar and water in a small, heavy saucepan over moderate heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar. Add the poppy seeds and blend well. Continue boiling, without stirring, for 6 to 7 minutes or until the mixture turns amber or pale golden in color, swirling the pan occasionally. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Slowly pour the caramel mixture in a free-form pattern onto the prepared baking sheet. Allow it to cool. When cool, break the caramelized mixture into irregular triangular shapes. The poppy seed caramelized shards can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days.From SUMMER SMOOTHIES: more than 130 cool and refreshing recipes. Copyright © 2002 Donna Pliner Rodnitzky. All Rights Reserved.

CARAMELIZED ONION AND POPPY SEED HAMANTASCHEN

Steps:

• Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a food processor. Add 9 tablespoons butter and pulse until coarse crumbs form. Add 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar and the egg yolk and pulse, adding 2 to 3 tablespoons or so of ice water if needed to form a soft dough. Wrap the dough in waxed paper or plastic wrap and refrigerate, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a medium nonstick pan over medium-low. Add the onion, thyme, bay leaf and honey, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 20 minutes. Discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Stir in the poppy seeds and the remaining 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar and season to taste. Let cool.
• Remove the dough from the fridge, heat the oven to 375 degrees and cover 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Roll out the dough onto a floured surface until 1/8 inch thick. Using a 2 1/2-inch round mold or glass, cut the dough into rounds. Top each round with a hefty pinch of cheese in the center, then a heaping teaspoon of the cooled onion mixture. Working with one round at a time, dip a pastry brush or your finger into the egg white and moisten the edges of the excess dough surrounding the filling. Fold up 3 sides of the round to form a triangle, partly covering the filling with the dough, and pinch the dough firmly at all 3 tips of the triangle. Transfer to the parchment-lined baking sheets and repeat to make about 36 hamantaschen.
• Bake until golden, rotating midway through baking, 15 to 20 minutes, then serve warm.

POPPY SEED CARAMELIZED SHARDS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Combine the sugar and water in a small, heavy saucepan over moderate heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar. Add the poppy seeds and blend well. Continue boiling, without stirring, for 6 to 7 minutes or until the mixture turns amber or pale golden in color, swirling the pan occasionally. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Slowly pour the caramel mixture in a free-form pattern onto the prepared baking sheet. Allow it to cool. When cool, break the caramelized mixture into irregular triangular shapes. The poppy seed caramelized shards can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days.From SUMMER SMOOTHIES: more than 130 cool and refreshing recipes. Copyright © 2002 Donna Pliner Rodnitzky. All Rights Reserved.